Legal Counsel - Derivatives

The Legal team at [Company] delivers legal and regulatory guidance to ensure compliance with local regulations and aligning with customers' needs. They engage externally to liaise with regulators and service providers to mitigate legal risks. Areas of focus include Commercial and Regulatory/Product.

This UK-based role within the HQ Commercial Legal Team reports to the SVP, Legal. The ideal candidate will be a proactive individual with a strong interest in financial innovation, adept at collaborating across global business units, and passionate about the company's mission. The role entails managing commercial contracts for the UK and cross-border matters, balancing growth opportunities with legal risk in a dynamic, internationally regulated fintech and crypto industry. Preference is for candidates familiar with trading platforms' operations involving institutional clients.

Responsibilities:

Draft, review, and negotiate various commercial agreements for institutional clients, advertising partnerships, NDAs, and other commercial documents supporting operations in the UK, EMEA, and globally.

Develop and maintain template documentation, playbooks, and negotiation guidelines to facilitate scalable contract support throughout the organization.

Collaborate closely with stakeholders across global business functions to provide timely legal support that aligns with business goals.

Work with LegalOps to enhance policies, procedures, and contract workflows to align with the company's operating model.

Conduct training on contract review and management and foster knowledge sharing within the Legal team and business units.

Assist with commercial legal initiatives supporting strategic business plans such as new market ventures, institutional partnerships, and other prioritized projects.

Requirements:

Must be a qualified solicitor in England and Wales or equivalent common-law jurisdiction, with over 6 years of PQE in-house, in private practice, or in a government/regulatory role, ideally within financial services, fintech, cryptocurrencies/cryptoassets, or general corporate/commercial practice.

Demonstrated expertise in English-law contract drafting and negotiation, managing complex, multi-party deals while balancing commercial objectives and risks.

Ability to excel in a fast-paced, international environment amidst changing cryptoasset and financial-services regulations.

Strong problem-solving skills, adept at clear communication with non-legal stakeholders under pressure.

Proven ability to manage multiple workstreams concurrently, resolving conflicting priorities without compromising quality.

Preference for candidates with experience in advising on UK consumer-facing, marketing, data protection (UK GDPR), or financial-services commercial arrangements, with prior exposure to crypto/Web3 or payments being a plus.

Life at [Company]:

Encouraged to think innovatively and explore new opportunities within a supportive and ambitious team.

Proactive and transformative work environment that fosters creative and innovative solutions.

Opportunities for personal and professional growth development.

Collaborative work culture focused on supporting colleagues and achieving shared goals.

Benefits Include:

Competitive salary

Medical insurance coverage for employees and dependents

Generous annual leave including special occasions

Flexible work options with hybrid or remote arrangements

Internal mobility programs for career advancement

Founded in 2016, [Company] serves millions of customers worldwide, aiming to make cryptocurrency accessible for everyone. Committed to security, privacy, and compliance, the company is dedicated to advancing cryptocurrency adoption through innovation and empowering the next generation of digital creators and entrepreneurs. responseData provided by candidates will be used solely for recruitment purposes and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

About the Company

CertiK is a well-established Web3 security firm specializing in securing blockchain protocols, smart contracts, and decentralized applications through innovative security research, formal verification techniques, and AI technologies. Established in 2017 and based in New York City, CertiK offers comprehensive security solutions like smart contract audits, penetration testing, on-chain monitoring, incident response, and compliance services to major projects in the digital asset industry. With a global presence and a diverse team across North America, Asia, and Europe, CertiK has garnered support from prominent investors and received recognition for its advancements in blockchain security.

About the Role

We are in search of a seasoned compliance and financial crime expert to play a pivotal role in shaping and expanding our initiatives in anti-money laundering, virtual asset compliance, and blockchain risk management. This role necessitates understanding compliance across traditional financial institutions and virtual asset service providers. The ideal candidate will be adept at navigating regulation, financial crime prevention, blockchain analytics, and commercial strategy. As a senior subject matter expert, the individual will elevate the company's compliance capabilities, provide guidance to financial institutions and VASPs, and establish credibility with regulators, law enforcement, clients, and industry collaborators.

About You

The perfect fit for this role is a pragmatic and business-oriented compliance leader with extensive experience in AML, financial crime, and virtual assets. The candidate should have a background either within traditional financial institutions or closely working with VASPs, emphasizing the variances between conventional transaction monitoring and risks associated with blockchain-based financial activities. The individual should feel equally comfortable analyzing complex financial crime cases, designing AML frameworks, advising senior management, engaging with regulators, and educating stakeholders on blockchain risk.

Responsibilities

Enhance and develop AML frameworks, virtual asset compliance strategies, sanctions, risk assessments, transaction monitoring, and investigation protocols.

Offer guidance to financial institutions and VASPs on virtual asset compliance, regulatory standards, and financial crime risks in connection with blockchain technology.

Stay updated on regulatory changes and translate them into actionable compliance guidance and product specifications.

If applicable, act as MLRO or support the designated MLRO with suspicious activity reviews and regulatory reporting.

Collaborate with product development, engineering, business development teams, as well as regulators, law enforcement, and other industry affiliates.

Requirements

Previous experience as an MLRO, Chief Compliance Officer, Head of Financial Crime, or in a similar senior compliance capacity.

Demonstrated expertise in AML, financial crime, sanctions, transaction monitoring, regulatory compliance and reporting, and virtual asset financial crime risks.

Hands-on practice with blockchain analytics, KYT, wallet screening, or similar on-chain compliance tools.

Strong communication skills and possession of CAMS or equivalent AML certification.

Bonus Points

Experience managing the AML program of a regulated entity, VASP licensing, regulatory examinations, or remediation.

Established networks with regulators, law enforcement personnel, banks, exchanges, or others in the virtual asset sector.

The expected annual base salary range for this position in the United States is $150,000 to $220,000. Compensation for candidates outside the United States will be determined based on location, experience, and qualifications.

Additional Information

The company is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants with criminal histories in line with relevant regulations.

Certification, recognition, and experience supporting diversity initiatives are encouraged.

Please Note:

AI tools may be utilized in the hiring process for aspects including application review, resume analysis, response assessment, and identification of potential inconsistencies or verification cues in application materials. These tools support the recruitment team but human judgment remains paramount in final hiring decisions. For more details on data processing, kindly reach out to the company.

Binance is a prominent global blockchain ecosystem known for operating the largest cryptocurrency exchange in terms of trading volume and user base worldwide. Trusted by over 300 million individuals in more than 100 countries, we offer top-notch security, transparent user fund management, high-speed trading engine, deep liquidity, and a diverse range of digital asset products. Our services span across trading, finance, education, research, payments, institutional support, Web3 features, and more. Leveraging the potential of digital assets and blockchain technology, we aim to create an inclusive financial ecosystem to promote financial freedom and enhance financial accessibility on a global scale.



Serve as a primary contact for law enforcement agencies and relevant government authorities within the UAE, including Dubai Police and other local law enforcement entities.

Receive, assess, and coordinate responses to information requests from authorized law enforcement bodies, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory standards.

Establish and nurture professional relationships with UAE law enforcement agencies, regulators, and government stakeholders.

Collaborate closely with internal teams such as Legal, Compliance, Investigations, Security, Risk, and Operations to evaluate requests, gather necessary information, and facilitate prompt responses.

Review and validate law enforcement requests to ensure the requisite information and legal foundation for Binance to act upon.

Oversee the collection, secure storage, and disclosure of pertinent information and data in response to valid requests.

Maintain accurate records of law enforcement requests, responses, and relevant case details.

Provide support in investigations related to fraudulent activities, financial crimes, money laundering, sanctions, cybercrimes, and other illicit behaviors upon request by authorized authorities.

Identify trends, recurring issues, and emerging risks from law enforcement requests and share insights with internal stakeholders.

Contribute to the enhancement of processes, procedures, and guidelines for dealing with law enforcement requests in the UAE.

Educate and advise internal teams on engaging with UAE law enforcement, managing information requests, and appropriate response protocols.

Ensure all interactions and disclosures are handled confidentially, professionally, and discreetly.

Stay informed about relevant UAE laws, regulations, law enforcement practices, and developments affecting digital assets and cryptocurrency.

Requirements

Prior experience working with UAE law enforcement agencies, regulators, or government authorities, ideally involving information requests, investigations, or financial crime.

Profound understanding of the UAE law enforcement and regulatory landscape, with experience engaging with Dubai Police and/or other UAE authorities being highly advantageous.

Experience in managing requests for information, subpoenas, court orders, or similar legal/government requests.

Background in law enforcement, government, financial crime, compliance, investigations, legal, or related fields.

Strong familiarity with AML, financial crime, fraud, cybercrime, or cryptocurrency-related investigations is highly desirable.

Capability to handle sensitive, confidential, and high-risk information.

Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, adept at collaborating with government authorities and internal multidisciplinary teams.

Exceptional organizational skills, able to handle multiple requests and cases concurrently under tight deadlines.

Keen attention to detail and sound judgment in assessing sensitive requests and information.

Proficiency in English and Arabic is required.

Background in the cryptocurrency, digital asset, fintech, or financial services sectors is preferred.

About the Company

CertiK is a prominent Web3 security firm that specializes in safeguarding blockchain protocols, smart contracts, and decentralized applications using cutting-edge security research, formal verification, and AI technology. Established in 2017 in New York City, CertiK offers comprehensive security solutions, including smart contract audits, penetration testing, on-chain monitoring, incident response, and compliance services to major projects in the digital asset industry.

With a diverse team spread across North America, Asia, and Europe, CertiK serves numerous enterprise clients and Web3 projects globally. The company has garnered support from renowned investors like Coatue, Goldman Sachs, Insight Partners, and Sequoia Capital and has received accolades from organizations such as the World Economic Forum and CB Insights for its advancements in blockchain security.

About You
Ideal candidates for this role are hands-on compliance professionals well-versed in navigating regulatory frameworks and licensing applications. You should excel in translating intricate regulations into clear directives and client deliverables, overseeing both structured audit requests and evolving business development needs effectively, and recognizing when issues require escalation to senior Compliance or Legal personnel.

About the Role
In this position, you will serve as the primary compliance lead for AI-generated outputs and corresponding client deliverables. Your responsibilities will include supporting various stakeholder groups, such as client-facing teams and commercial services, transforming raw AI results into accurate and accessible deliverables, and collaborating with Engineering to streamline recurring compliance tasks into reusable workflows and knowledge resources.

Responsibilities

Break down regulatory frameworks and licensing requirements for analysis.

Assist in licensing and regulatory preparation projects, from scoping to final submission readiness.

Conduct initial reviews of AI outputs to ensure regulatory accuracy, evidence validity, and client suitability.

Transform unstructured requests into concise scopes and deliverables, including compliance analyses and review reports.

Provide support for compliance guidance, evidence checklists, application-mapping, and licensing submissions.

Collaborate with Engineering to establish regulatory mappings, templates, review guidelines, evaluation criteria, and structured AI workflows.

Escalate high-risk regulatory interpretations and legal conclusions to senior reviewers or Legal personnel.

Requirements

Minimum of 3 years of experience in compliance engineering, regulatory consulting, digital assets, fintech, financial services, compliance auditing, or legal affairs.

Practical involvement in at least one licensing application, regulatory registration, or end-to-end regulatory preparation project.

Comprehensive understanding of regulatory assessment, evidence examination, and licensing documentation.

Ability to generate clear directives, mappings, presentations, and client reports.

Strong interpersonal and cross-functional project management capabilities.

Proficient in written and spoken English; fluency in professional Chinese is advantageous but not mandatory.

Familiarity with digital-asset regulation, VASP licensing, or similar frameworks is a plus.

Basic awareness of LLM limitations, halluci**Video Calls risk, source traceability, and human-in-the-loop review.

This role requires remote work outside the United States. Applicants based in the U.S. will not be considered.

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools may be utilized during the hiring process for tasks such as application review, resume analysis, and response assessment. These tools complement the recruitment team's efforts but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring determinations are ultimately made by human evaluators. For further details on how your data is processed, please reach out to us.

At Anchorage Digital, we are creating a cutting-edge digital asset platform tailored for institutional involvement in the realm of cryptocurrency.

Anchorage Digital offers institutions the ability to engage with digital assets through various services like custody, staking, trading, governance, settlement, and top-tier security infrastructure. Additionally, Anchorage Digital Bank N.A., the first federally chartered crypto bank in the U.S., operates within the larger framework. Trusted by well-established investment entities like Andreessen Horowitz, GIC, Goldman Sachs, KKR, and Visa, Anchorage Digital holds a Series D valuation surpassing $3 billion. Formed in 2017 in San Francisco, California, Anchorage Digital also houses offices in New York, NY; Porto, Portugal; Singapore; and Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Due to the rise in digital threats and hostile attacks, a security policy mandates that all incoming employees undergo an in-person onboarding process without exceptions. Obsessed with security and IT integrity, we emphasize physical identity verification and secure IT setup. This move isn't just fueled by security reasons but also to foster our cohesive Village culture, as we strongly believe that our culture is rooted in personal interactions that cannot be transferred through remote setup provisions.

We are currently searching for a skilled Regulatory Licensing Attorney to join our dynamic Legal team. In this vital role, you will function as the firm’s primary expert in CFTC and NFA firm-level licensing matters, directing the organization through the regulatory framework of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA). Straddling legal strategies and commercial practicalities within the dynamic crypto sector, your responsibilities entail offering essential legal advice on OTC and cleared derivatives, margin lending, and privacy issues for new business ventures, all while balancing regulatory compliance with the firm’s strategic objectives.

We have devised the Factors of Growth & Impact to aid Villagers in quantifying their impact and articulating coaching, feedback, and learning opportunities as they navigate and master their capabilities within and beyond the Member of Legal role.

Technical Skills:

Regulatory Advisory: Act as the key legal authority on the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and NFA Rules, advising on the obligations tied to being a licensed entity.

Licensing & Registration Management: Oversee the comprehensive strategy for securing and retaining regulatory licenses, inclusive of managing the registration process and navigating intricate exemption structures.

Margin Lending Arrangements: Create, assess, and negotiate complex margin lending agreements with sophisticated institutional counterparts.

Contract Drafting & Negotiation: Draft, evaluate, and negotiate specialized regulatory agreements, such as ISDA/CSA documentation and requisite disclosure papers for regulatory compliance.

Complexity and Impact of Work:

Cross-Functional Integration: Collaborate with Trading, Operations, Risk, and Engineering teams to integrate CFTC/NFA compliance criteria directly into trading operations and platform architecture.

Regulatory Horizon Scanning: Proactively track and interpret changes in CFTC mandates and NFA directives, advising the executive team on necessary business strategy adjustments.

Audit & Examination Leadership: Lead the legal response to regulatory inquiries and NFA examinations, overseeing preparation, document submission, and regulatory authorities' strategic communication.

High-Stakes Problem Solving: Serve as a prominent individual contributor on intricate projects like introducing new derivative asset classes and navigating cross-border regulatory transformations.

Risk Mitigation: Drive the production of internal "Rules-to-Workflow" structures to avert regulatory breaches, ensuring the firm's "right to operate" remains unscathed.

Organizational Knowledge:

Thorough knowledge of Anchorage Digital's strategy to effectively lead regulatory licensing projects while considering the respective team’s objectives.

Facilitating transference of knowledge as advancements are made in the licensing applications across the relevant teams.

Aptitude in prioritizing work as per the company's objectives and providing the rationale behind allocated tasks.

Communication and Influence:

Forge influential cross-functional relationships with product, engineering, operations, and other teams to innovate new products, enhance existing businesses, tackle legal challenges, structure complex agreements, and boost efficacy.

Possess robust communication skills for internal and external interactions.

Ability to be client-facing while collaborating with cross-functional teams on various internal projects.

If you possess a J.D. degree with a focus on financial services, commodities, or corporate law, along with at least 4+ years of legal practice experience, including 3+ years concentrating on CFTC and NFA regulatory affairs, you may be suitable for this role. A deep understanding and practical exposure to the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and the Dodd-Frank Act (Title VII), coupled with technical proficiency in derivatives, impeccable communication and negotiation skills, and the ability to function with moderate supervision, would all be advantageous. Additionally, prior in-house legal experience at a fintech firm, hedge fund, leading financial institution, or reputable regulatory practice part of a prominent law firm, as well as familiarity with market infrastructure nuances, will be viewed favorably.

Although not mandatory, a profound appreciation for crypto and a keen comprehension of the intersection between digital assets and CFTC/NFA jurisdiction and global regulatory changes would be advantageous.

Joining the Anchorage Village, a coalition of top minds specializing in platform security, financial services, and distributed ledger technology, you will contribute to offering institutions the vital tools to safely take part in the evolving digital asset landscape. Embracing diversity with a team exceeding 600 members, our common objective is clear: crafting a robust foundation for capital to flow securely in the emerging global financial system. Committed to fostering an inclusive workplace for all, Anchorage Digital ensures that everyone feels valued, supported, and integrated, irrespective of background. We extol differences and believe that fostering an open, true self at work uplifts our collective output.

Protecting privacy rights is crucial, and we constantly strive to maintain trust and respect of our clients while handling personal or financial data diligently. For more information on data processing, feel free to contact us.